April 17 - 23, 2015
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Stage is set for Oak Ridge Town Park Council approves $383k, contractor for Phase II by GERRI HUNT OAK RIDGE – Phase II of Oak Ridge Town Park can now move forward, following the Oak Ridge Town Council’s unanimous vote on April 10 to approve $382,900 of capital funds for the project. The council also approved R.P. Murray Inc., of Kernersville, as the project contractor. Mayor Ray Combs was absent from the special called meeting. To arrive at this point, the town
has made its way down a rocky path, marked by obstacles like being turned down last July for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund matching grant, and then facing project bids that were substantially higher than expected. Councilman George McClellan asked how the project “got out of whack” in the first place. “The PARTF grant gave us a basic stage and shelter,” explained Town Manager Bruce Oakley. The town had hoped to receive a $200,000 match-
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Photo by Gerri Hunt/NWO
The land behind the playground at Oak Ridge Town Park slopes down toward a natural area, where an amphitheater will be built at the tree line.
How fair is the Sales Tax Fairness Act? Proposed legislation could have dramatic effect on Guilford County, local municipalities by GERRI HUNT
Photo by Gerri Hunt/NWO
Matt Somers accepts a receipt from Lauren Jones after making a purchase at Tractor Supply on Wednesday. If the N.C. Senate’s proposed Sales Tax Fairness Act passes, the tax from Somers’ purchase could be redistributed to a struggling county, rather than remaining in Guilford County.
NC/GUILFORD COUNTY – A bill moving through the N.C. Senate, dubbed the “Sales Tax Fairness Act,” (SB 369), could alter the financial landscape of the state’s counties and towns.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (RRockingham), whose 26th District includes northwest Guilford County, issued a statement three days after Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown (R-Onslow),
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IN THIS ISSUE News in brief............................ 3 Your Questions........................ 4 NWHS junior wins national award ....................... 6 NGHS senior gift ..................... 7 Business Notes ........................ 9 Bits & Pieces ............................ 9 Stokesdale Town Council ... 10 Student Profiles ......................19 Around Town ......................... 20 Crime/Incident Report .........21 Community Calendar......... 23 Letters/Opinions ................... 24 Grins & Gripes ....................... 25 Classifieds ............................. 26 Index of Advertisers ..............31 NWO on the go! ................... 32